President Bola Tinubu has taken decisive action by suspending the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Electrification Agency, Ahmad Salihijo, along with three Executive Directors of the Agency, indefinitely.
This move comes following the emergence of new findings during a thorough investigation into the financial activities of the Rural Electrification Agency, as revealed in a statement from the State House signed by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, on Thursday.
Titled ‘President Tinubu suspends Rural Electrification Agency managing director and team from office,’ the statement announced the suspension of Salihijo, as well as the Executive Directors, Corporate Services, Olaniyi Netufo; Technical Services, Barka Sajou; and Rural Electrification Fund, Sa’adatu Balgore.
Tinubu also ordered a broader investigation into the conduct of the officials, focusing on fraudulent misexpenditure amounting to over N1.2 billion in the past two years, with some funds already recovered by anti-graft agencies, according to Ngelale.
In response, the President appointed a new management team to lead the Agency in acting capacity immediately. The new team includes Abba Aliyu as Managing Director/CEO, Ayoade Gboyega as Executive Director, Corporate Services, Umar Umar as Executive Director, Technical Services, Doris Uboh as Executive Director, Rural Electrification Fund, and Olufemi Akinyelure as Head of Project Management Unit, Nigeria Electrification Project.
Tinubu emphasized his administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability, urging all appointees to uphold the highest standards in serving the Nigerian people. He reiterated his dedication to meeting the aspirations of Nigerians for good governance and quality service delivery, prioritizing the collective welfare over individual interests.
